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Woolly hugs

Woolly Hugs is a charity established by a group of Mumsnet users. They knit / crochet handmade blankets and other items for families experiencing difficult times.

Woolly Hugs: Little Hugs for Little People. Crafting continued!

981 replies

KnottyLocks · 18/10/2012 18:16

Our project launch thread can be found here

This is an ongoing project. Thanks to the amazing efforts of crafters and donors, to date we have received 38 wonderful Little Hugs. Our first batch have been sent to Yorkhill Hospital today Smile

Photographs of our Little Hugs can be found on our Woolly Hugs website and on our Facebook page, MNWoollyHugs.

The basic aim is to provide little blankets and quilts that give comfort to babies and small children who are seriously ill in hospital.

This is the continuation of Phase 1 of the project.
We are developing contacts for future phases.

How you can get involved:

You can help by either making a complete Little Hug
Or
By making 6" squares using Stylecraft Special DK yarn or Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK, Rowan Cashsoft DK and Sublime Extra Fine Merino wool DK

For all of the Little Hugs:

Minimum size: 18 inches by 18 inches
For example, that's 3x3 6 inch squares with a small edge.
If you would like to make a blanket or quilt that is bigger, that would be lovely too.

Colours: Your choice!
We'd like to be able to provide a range of Little Hugs suitable for boys and girls.
If you would like to make something specifically for a boy or girl, that would also be lovely.

Things to avoid:
Buttons
Sequins and beads
Any embellishments that could scratch delicate skin or could be swallowed.
If using applique, it needs to be firmly stitched on with no hard edges.

Materials and ideas:
Woolly Blankets:
Suggested yarn: Stylecraft Special DK, a soft, non-scratchy acrylic that is a very reasonable £1.60 - £2 for 100g ball.
Pure cotton DK
If you would like to make a whole blanket, you could use a different weight yarn and a yarn other than those above. The essential thing is that it needs to be soft against sensitive and delicate skin and that it can be machine washed.
Ideas:
Blankets could be made from squares stitched or hooked together
Granny stripes or ripples
They could be made in one piece or in blocks, as well as squares

Quilts and stitched blankets:
Pure cotton and good quality fleece. The cotton can be from recycled sources.
We suggest that you wash both separately before sewing to allow for any difference in shrinkage.
Ideas:
Traditional style quilts, from simple square designs to more complex patterns
Cotton edged fleeces, with or without appliqué
Quilt and fleece combination: quilted front with a fleece back

Donors:
If you would like to contribute towards materials, you can either donate via Paypal here on our Woolly Hugs website with a message letting us know which project you are donating to. If you do not have Paypal, please PM RatherBeOnThePiste as we have other ways that you can donate.
Without our donors, our projects really wouldn't happen. You are as vital to them as the crafters and materials. Bless you. Smile

If you would like to take part in this project but feel you can't due to the costs involved, please PM Pistey and we'll try to help with materials.

As ever, thanks for your support Thanks

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 05/01/2013 14:43

You not a hairy handed type then Fizzy?

My mistake

I didn't want you not to have enough!

Yy, loons everywhere, stick to wool, we can have Wine and Biscuit
Well you can, I can have neither as I am low bloody carbing

KnottyLocks · 05/01/2013 14:50

I'm not though Grin

Cooookieeeees. Mmmm

OP posts:
GlaikitFizzog · 05/01/2013 14:51

There are no carbs in wine though? Ds has a fever might have to take him to ooh so I'll just stick to the bics!

fraktion · 05/01/2013 18:27

Aran's good, fizz. Grows quicker!

GlaikitFizzog · 05/01/2013 22:12

Knitted Dragon

Wolfcub · 05/01/2013 22:15

Fizz that's smashing

Somersaults · 05/01/2013 22:21

Wow, that's amazing!

SoupDragon · 05/01/2013 22:24

[applause]

GlaikitFizzog · 05/01/2013 22:26

:o I am stupidly proud of myself!!

SoupDragon · 06/01/2013 08:10

Justifiably so!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 06/01/2013 08:16

Morning all Brew Smile

Oh Fizzy - that dragon really is utterly fabulous!

Really, really smashing Xx

fraktion · 06/01/2013 10:22

Wow! That's awesome Fizz.

Wolfcub · 06/01/2013 10:34

do you have a link to the pattern Fizz?

I'm part way through my little hug but have been waylaid by the arrival of the stylecraft pack and have also started a granny stripe blanket for DS.

GlaikitFizzog · 06/01/2013 10:40

here I made some modifications myself but the head and body are as per pattern.

GlaikitFizzog · 06/01/2013 10:42

I've just realised I've not done the wings! Better get the needles out again :)

HaveToWearHeels · 06/01/2013 12:18

Wow Fizzy love the dragon, you should be very proud :)

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 06/01/2013 12:28

He is so handsome, Glaikit - you deserve to be very proud of yourself indeed.

And I am thinking that perhaps we need another Glasgow Woolly Huggers meet up soon - I will start a thread and see what people think.

HaveToWearHeels · 06/01/2013 13:25

Wow Fizzy love the dragon, you should be very proud :)

KnottyLocks · 07/01/2013 07:49

Gorgeous dragon, Fizzy. You clever thing Smile

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/01/2013 13:33

Just shared two photos on our Woolly Hugs facebook page, of one of our Little Hugs in action.

Keeping them close in our thoughts with so much love, and all positive vibes coming their way from us Xx

It is one of GetOnYourDancingShoes' lovely knitted hugs, do have a look.... MNWoollyHugs

fanjodisfunction · 08/01/2013 14:35

Its a beautiful picture, brought a tear to my eye, I hope the continous hug that little hug gives her will give her comfort when she needs it most.

I have finshed my little hug last night and have some wool left over so I think I will see if I can make another one.

I'm hoping to send a large box to you pistey for the 19th with squares for lemons blanket, an angel hug or two, two little hugs from me and two little hugs from my mum. Fx it doesn't cost too much.

Seeing that pic of Megan has really spurred me on!

Woolfey · 08/01/2013 14:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/01/2013 15:29

Really is a motivational photo, just beautiful. Bless Megan, she has a rocky road to good health ahead, so glad she has a little hug from us all. Seeing that pic meant such a lot, and certainly very teary here too.

HaveToWearHeels · 08/01/2013 15:43

Oh my, now I am blubbing at work ! So lovely to see a little hug being used but such a precious little one.

HaveToWearHeels · 08/01/2013 15:44

Pistey are we sending to other hospitals now as I see that little Megan is on the south coast ?